Match-machine.



NQ.757,572. l ,PATBNTED APR. 19, 1904.

v A.' SHELDON. v

,MATGH MACHINE. APPLmgTIo FILED s211121, 1901. .Eb mmm.. s SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1 @C E j U y.; o Q I o I PATENTED Amina, 1904. M. A; sHBLDoN. MATCH MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 21, 1901. 4

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

N0 MODEL.

o s e e e Qa cesen! e e a e s es e en.. ce e e s e e ce eeeeee e e e e c oeezse e e ee e oe ee eee Sztseeoiaecaee en e o e e c e esso es e e e s e e e eeee es e e e e e e c e @eoeQ e e e e e e e o e e o e o c e e e e e en. eo e c o e e a 2&1 e o e e o e e e a s e e e s es e e e ede Patented April 19, 1904. j

` UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARK A. SHELDON, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONETHIRD TO ALEXANDER MCVITTIE, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

mAToH-MAGHINE.

SPECIFICATION forminglpart ofl Letters Patent No. 757,572, dated April 19,` 1904.

Application led September 21, 1901. Serial No. 76,021- (No model.)

T0 atl whom it may concern,.- l

Be it known that I, MARK A. SHnLno'N, a citizen of theI United States of America, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Machines,

of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to Vmatch machinery I l of that character in which wholly independent plates or racks are used for holding the matchsplints, which'plates or racks after being first provided with splints by independent and Vseparate devices are then transferred to a matchmaking machine which has a suitable carrier for carrying the plates automatically through all the different operations neededv to make the iinished matches, after which the plates must he replenished again with fresh splints by the independent devices aforesaid.

It is the object of my invention to improve upon this mode of operation in so far as to make the replenishing of the empty plates with fresh splints and their delivery to the carrier for treatment a part of the operation of .the

machine itself without losing any of the advantages incident to the use of independent plates. To this end my invention consists in an automatic plate-feeder and involves as a new feature a magazine in which the empty plates are stored, a subcarrier separate and independent of the main carrier of the machine and adapted to automatically remove the plates one by one from said magazine anddeliver them automatically to the main carrier, and a suitable splint-feeding device operating in connection with said subcarrier to replenish each plate with fresh splints while in transit between the magazine and the main carrier, all as more fully hereinafter described, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 'l is a vertical central section of-my automatic plate-feeding device. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 isa rear elevation of the magazine. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on line :c af, Fig. I.

In the drawings the match-machine'to which my plate-feeding device is intended to apply is merely represented by its carrier, which consists of a pair of drag-chains A, provided at intervals with lugs B and adapted to drag the plates P along during the treatment of the splints by engaging into slots a Ain the marginal outer portion of the plates, the plates having the usual perforations for holding the splints,` all as well known.

C is a magazine for holding plates. It is open in front for the insertion of the plates and is formed with two vertical sid es b andan inclined shelf or bottom c, upon which the plates are adapted to be supported in upright position .by the weight of the plates causing them' to slide down upon the inclined bottom and by the action of a gravity-dog D, pivotally secured in the upper part of the magazine and pressing the plates against the vertical stops or guides Z upon the rear of the magazine. The gravity-dogD is made in the form of a bell-crank with a long weighted arm projecting outwardly and serving as a handle, the other arm being curved to project downwardly and rearwardly, all in such manner that it will hold a varying number of plates in position-in the magazine and permit the insertion of fresh plates by throwing up the dog. Y

E is a slide inthe bottom of the magazine, terminating at its rear end in an upturned liange or lip e, adapted to engage the lower edge of the plate at the foot of theincline in such manner that by drawing out the slide it willV drawthe plate for a purpose which will appear more fully hereinafter. i F F are two drag-chains which forni `the subcarrier fdr'lgfeedingvthe plates one by one from the magazine to the main carrier. These drag chains are both in the same vertical plane with the plane of the plate which isat the foot of the incline, and each chain has corresponding lugs f, Vadapted to Yengage with the plates and carry them upward. The dragchains pass around sprocket-wheels g, secured upon horizontal shafts g', which are journaled in suitable bearings upon the sides of the magazine, and the lower set of shafts has in,- termeshing gear-wheels g2 for simultaneously the engagement of the lugs f of the dragup, as both ends are alike.

4valsapart upon the main carrier.

chains, the-distance between the lugs being equal Ito the length of the plates.

The drag-chains F form a relatively short carrier able to carry but a few plates at a time, one following the other closely, and while thus in transit the plates receive splints from a splint-feeding device G, placed in position to stick rows of splints into each plate as it travels past it, the travel of the carrier being so adjusted and timed with the movement Aof the splint-feeding device that each row of perforations in the plates has a row of splints stuck into it endwise as it passes the device. As the construction and operation of such splint-feeding devices are. well known and understood to those skilled in the art` it is not necessary to describe itany further. The one shown in the drawings forms the subject-matter of a prior patent, No. 718,393, dated January 13, 1903; but any other known device of like character may be substituted. i To hold each plate firmly in position while sticking the splints, I providea cross bar or plate I, against which the back of the plates in sticking abuts. The lower edge of this plate is beveled off at j to prevent it from interfering with the travel 0f the plates. v As soon as the plate at the-foot -of the incline has traveled up'its own length, the plate next to it falls into position and follows it closely, and as the rst and last rowl of perforations in each plate are distant from the approximate edges ofthe plate half the distance between the inner rows it will loe seen that the rows of perforations follow each other as ifthey were all on one continuous plate,.and it makes-no 'difference which end of the plate is Should it be necessary at any time to discontinue the feeding of fresh plates, it is done by drawing out the slide E, which removes thev plate at the foot of theY incline from engaging with 4the dragchains. After each plate has received its splints it travels a little distance farther, lwhich carries it into the path of the main carrier A in properrelation thereto to have the carrying-lugs thereof engage into the slots o of the plate,l and thereby transfer it to the main car- As thelatter has a continuous 4motion and travels much faster than the .subcarrien the motion of which is intermittent and relatively slow, the plates will be spaced at interhave along their vertical edges marginal portions in which the slots a are 'formed near the The plates edges of the plate, each slot being somewhat larger' at one end than the other,v so as to facilitate the entrance of the lugs of the carrier if the slots should not accurately register with the lugs, and each plate is provided with two sets of such slots, so as to make the plate reversible end for end.

The plates are fed to the main carrier sub-- stantially in the plane of that carrier, and to insure the proper engagement of each plate therewith the plate is yieldingly held in position by a spring K, pressing against the back of the plate and allowing it to yield should a pair of lugs strike against the solid marginal portions until the lugs, which move faster than the plate, have caught up with the slots. This arrangement permits of stopping and starting the plate-feeding device irrespective of the movement of the main carrier.

All the parts forming the subject-matter'of this invention may be structurally united into a single machine embodying all the various devices necessary for making matches, or the device may be constructed as an attachment to machines already in use.

With the use of my plate-feeding device I lose none of the advantages incident to the use of match machinery of the character described,

while, on the other hand, I gain several advantages, which will be well understood by those skilled in the art without enteringinto aparticular enumeration thereof.

Vihile I have used the term main carrier to designate the carrier of what is ordinarily called the dipping device, I wish it understood that the term is intended to include any carrier designed to receive and .carry the plates for treating the splints in any manner.

I/Vha't I claim as-my invention is- 1. In match machinery employing Wholly independent plates for holding'the splints, the combination with avertical carrier, of .means for successively feeding the plates to the car-- rier, comprising an inclined support arranged adjacent to the carrier and adapted to engage a number of plates at their lower edges and a pressure device adapted to bear against the back of the rearmost plate at the upper edge thereof. j

2. In match machinery employing wholly independent plates for holding the splints, the combination with a vertical carrier, of means for vsuccessively feeding the plates to the carrier, comprising means for supporting anumber of plates adjacent to the carrier and forming a suitable incline upon which the plates are adapted to slide upon their lower edges into the pathof the carrier by the action of gravity and a pressure device adapted to press against theplates at their upper edges, whereby said plates are urged'into the path of the carrier independently at both their upper and .lower edges.

3. In match machinery employing wholly independent plates'for holding the splints, the

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' bottom inclined toward the carrier and upon which the lower edges of the platesare slidingly supported and a pressure device adapted to bear against the `upper edges of the plates only. '7

4. In match machinery employing wholly independent plates for holding the splints, the combination with.y a vertical carrier having guides in which'theplates are carried, of a plate-holding magazine adjacent to the carrier and communicating with the space between 'f' the guides, Ymeans in said magazine for urgingthe plates forwardly into the space between the guides, and a yielding pressure device acting independently of said means to press against the backs of the plates after they have been moved upward from said magazine.

5. In match machinery employing wholly independent plates for holding the splints, the' combination with a vertical carrier having guides in whichl the plates are carried, of a plate-holding magazinecommunicating with the space between the guides of the carrier, means for urging the plates into the space between the guides for their successive engagement with the carrier and a yielding pressure device acting independently of said means to press against the backs of the plates after they have been moved upward from the magazine.-

. 6. In match machinery employingwholly independent plates for holding the splintsithe combination with a vertical carrier having vertical guidesin' which the plates are carried, of means' 'for successively feeding the plates to the carrier comprising an inclined support for supporting a number of platesv upon their lower edges adjacent to the carrier, a pressure device adapted to bear against the upper edge of the rearmost plate, means for guiding the plates laterally into the space between the guides.

l 7. In match machinery employing wholly independent plates for holding the splints, of a vertical carrier composed ofV two endless chains revolving in a vertical plane common to both of them and forming between their adjacent vertical portions a space equal to the width of aplate in which the plates are adapted to be carried by the chains, a plate-holding magazine at the foot of the carrier-chains communicating with the space between the carriers and means for successively feeding the plates from said magazine into said space and a spring disposed above said feeding means to act against the backs of the plates.

8. Inmatch machinery employing wholly independent plates for-holding the splints, the

combination with a vertical carrier having `with the main carrier.

cessively feeding the plates to said carrier and comprising an inclined support upon which a number of plates are adapted to be supported upon their lower edges, a pressure device adapted to bear,` against the upper edge of the rearmost plate, a device for sticking rows of splints horizontally into said plateswhile in transit with said carrier and a cross-bar adapted to support the back of the plates in sticking,

V9. In match machinery employing wholly independent plates for holding the splints, of a vertical carrier composed of two endless chains revolving in a vertical plane common to both of them and forming between their adjacent vertical portions aV space equal to the width of the plates and in which the plates vare'adapted to be carried by the chains, means on one 'side of the vertical planeof the'carrior-chains to successively supply the same withfempty plates and means uponl the opposite side of said plane to supply the plates with splintswhile in transit with 'the chains and a springdisposed above said feedingdevice to actl against the backs of the plates;

10.1In match machinery employing wholly independent plates for holding the splints, the combination of a vertical subcarrier, means at the base of. said carrier for successively supplying the same with empty plates, and com? prising an inclined support arrangedadjacent the carrier, a pressure device adapted to bear against the back of therearmost plate at the upper edge only thereof, means for sticking plates, said main carrier adapted to receiveV said -plates with the sides into .which the matches harige been stuck. l

11. In match machinery employing wholly independent plates for holding the splints, the

combination with a main carrier composed 'ofA carrierfchains having carrier-lugs adapted to engage with and carry the plates, a portion of said main carrier arranged to travel in a l substantially vertical path, of vertical guides beiow said vertical lportion and adapted to guide the plates into f engagement Ywith the vertical portion of themain carrier, the rear portion of said guides near the upper end being made yielding, a subcarrier.v extending within a portion 'of said guides and' adapted to elevate the plates within the guides, means for successively feeding empty plates at the vbase yof the subcarrier vand means for sticking rows of splints intothe plates, whilein transit with the subcarrier, into that sidexof the plates which are brought into engagement 12. In match machinery employing'w-holly independent plates for holdingl the splints, the combination with a vertical subcarrier-having meansat the base for successively supplying IOO rio

ITS

the same with empty plates and with means for sticking splints into the plates while in transit with said carrier, and a spring disposed above said feeding means to act against the'backs of the plates ofv vertical guides'extending above the subcarrier whereby' the plates after having received the splints are released fromv engagement with the carrier and are free to be removed endwise from between said guides.

13. In match machinery employing Wholly independent plates for holding the splints, the combination with `a vertical subcarrier having means at the base for successively supplying the same with empty plates and means for supplying the plates with splints while in transit with said carrier, of vertical guides extending above the subcarrier and in which the plates are carried upwardly afterA receiving the splints without being in positive engagement with the subcarrier, and a main carrier adapted to carry the plates in the treatment of the splints and having a substantially vertical portion adjacent t0 the top of 'the guides and adapted to engage with the plates while in transit between said guides.'

14. In match machinery employing wholly independent plates for holding the splints, the combination of a vertical subcarrier having means at the base for successively supplyingr the same with empty plates and means for iilling said plates with splints while in transit with said subcarrier, of vertical guides in which said plates are carried by the subcarrier, and a main carrier wholly independent of the subcarrier and having a substantially vertical portion adjacent to the top of said guides, said guides extending some distance above the subcarrier and adapted to guide the plates into engagement with said vertical portion of the main carrier, the arrahgement beingsuch that it' desired the filled plates may be removed by hand from between the guides, Without being takenup by the main carrier, or lthe main i carrier may be provided with lled plates from other sources. Y Y

15. In match machinery employing wholly independent plates for holding the splints, the i combination with an independent and separately-organized device for filling the empty plates with splints and comprising acarrier in which the filled plates are carriedupwardly between guides extending above the top of the carrier, 'whereby the filled plates after passing into that portion of the guidesare released from engagement with the carrier and are removably held between the guides, of a main carrier wholly independent of the aforesaid device and having a substantially vertical portion adjacent to the top of said guides and adapted to engage with the plates while in transit between said guides upon that. face of the plates into which the splints have been stuck, whereby said carrier is adapted to carry the plates for the treatment of the splints.

16. In match machinery employing wholly independent plates for holding the splints, the combination with a main carrier adapted to receive and carry the plates for thevtreatment of the splints, a subcarrier, a plate-holding magazine having inclined bottom and means for holding said plates against lateral displacement, means forapplying splints horizontally to the plates, and a cross-bar against which the back of the plates abut in sticking.

17. In match machinery employing wholly independent plates for holding the splints, the combination with a ymain carrier adapted toreceive and carry the' platesfor the treatment 4of, the splints, a subcarrier, a lplate-holding magazine having inclined bottomand means for holding said plates against lateraldisplacement, means 1for applyingA splints y horizon- -tally to the plate, and a cross-bar against whichI the back of the plates abut in sticking, the lower edge of said bar being beveled.

18. In match'machinery employing Vwholly independentplates for holding' the splints, the combination with a main carrier adapted to receive and carry the plates for the treatment of thesplints, a subcarrier, a plate-holding magazine having'inclined bottom and means for holding said plates against lateral displacement, means for applying splints horizontally to the plates, al cross-bar against which the baclrof the plates abut, the lower edge of said barbeing beveled, and a gravity-dog adapted to engage a plate below said cross-bar.

19. In match-machinery employing Wholly independent plates for holding the splints, the combination with a main carrier adapted to receive and .carry the plates for the treatment of the splints, a subcarrier, a plate-holding magazine having inclined bottom and means for holding said plates against lateral displacement, means for -applying splints horizontally to the plates, a cross-bar against which the back' of the plates abut, the lower edge of said plate being.beveled,'a gravity-dog adapted to engage a plate below saidcross-bar, and a spring secured tothe rear face of said crossbar for yieldingly holding a plate in position.

20.' In match machinery employing wholly independent plates for holding the splints for treatment, the combination with a main carrier for the plates,of a plate-feeding device therefor adapted'to' supply said 'main carrier with fresh plates as required for the continued operation of said carrier,`said device being composed in part of a plate-holding magazine having an inclined bottom upon which the plates rest with their lower edges free to slide to the foot ofthe'incline, vertical side walls which hold said plates in position against lateral displacement, vertical stops on said side wallsv at the foot of the incline for they plates to rest against, and a gravity-dog in the upper portion of the magazine adapted to bear against the top portion of the plates of the magazine.

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2l. In match machinery employing wholly independent plates for holding the splints for treatment, the combination with a main carrier therefor, of a plate-feeding devicefor said main carrier adapted to automatically supply it with fresh plates as required for the continuous operation of said main carrier, said device-composed in part of a magazine having an opening in frontfor the free insertion'of the empty plates by hand, .an inclined bottom for the lower edges of the plates to rest upon free to slide downwardly by gravity, vertical sidewalls to hold the plates in position against lateral displacement, vertical stops at the rear edges of the side walls adapted to retain the plates in vertical position in the magazine and a gravity-dog pivotally secured in the upper portion of the magazine adapted to coperate in conjunction with the bottom of the magazine to feed the plates automatically against the vertical stops.`

22. In match-making machinery, the combination with wholly independent plates and a main carrier adapted to receive and carry the plates for treating'the splints, of a device for supplying said carrier automatically with fresh plates as required for the continuous operation of said carrier, said device composed in part of two endless carrier-chains arranged in a vertical plane common to both and provided with carrying-lugs adapted to carry the plates between the proximate-parts of i the carrying-chains vwith their vertical side edges in contact therewith, vertical guide-bearings in which 4said proximate parts of the carrierchains travel, and a magazine` adjacent to said carrier-chains having inclined bottom for the lower edges of the plates to rest upon to slide downward freely by gravity, and means for preventing lateral displacement of said plates and adapted to receive and hold empty plates and toautomatically feed the same intothe path of the carrier-'chain and gravitating means secured in the upper portion of the magazine to cooperate in conjunction with said inclined bottom to feed the plates automatically and to hold them vertically;

23. In match machinery, the combination with -wholly independent plates vfor holding the splints, and a main carrier adapted to receive and carry the plates for treating' the splints, of a device for supplying said main carrier with fresh plates as required for the continuous operation of vsaid carrier, said device composed in part of two endless carrierchainsV arranged in avertical plane common to both and adaptedto carry the plates in the space between the two chains in coiitact with their side edges, and vertical guide-bearings Afor the plates while in transit with said carrier-chains, said carrier-chains having carrying-lugs spaced apart a distance equal to the length of the plates and the plates having their upper and lower edges cnt away to form re-n cesses for said carrying-lugs.

24. In match machinery, the combination .withwholly independent plates for holding i carry the plates in a space between their proXimate portions and in contact with the side. edges of the plates, and a magazine adjacent to said carrier-chains and having vertical side walls forming a space between them equal-to the width of the plates Vand communicating with the space between the carrier-chains, said magazine having inclined bottom for the lower edges of the plates to rest upon to slide downward freely by gravity, and means for preven-ting lateral displacement of said plates and adapted Yto receive and hold the empty plates and a gravitating dog disposed in the upper portion of said magazine for cooperation in conjunction withrthe inclined bottom of said magazine to feed said plates and hold their upper ends inposition to automatically feed them into the space between-the carrier-chains.`

25. In match machinery, the combination carrier as required, said device embodying in part a subcarrier composed of two carrierchainsV having carrier-lugs, portions of said chains being arranged inivertical guideways and adapted to receive and carry the plates in the space between them in contact with the side edges thereof,y a stop having a beveled lower edge for engagement with said plates, and gravitating means for holding the upper ends of the plates in position. 26. In match machinery, the combination with wholly independent plates for holding the splints and a main carrier-for holding the plates in the treatment of the splints, of a device for automatically supplyinglthe plates with splints and deliveringthem to the main carrier as required for the continued operation of the same, said device composed in part of two carrying-chains, independent of the main carrier, and having a step-by-step motion, portions of said carrier-chains arranged in Ivertical guideways and adapted to receive and carry the plates between them in contact with the side edges thereof, said carrier-chains having carrying-lugs spaced apart a distance equal to the length of the plates.V

27. In match machinery, the combination IOO IIO

with wholly independent plates for holding the splints and a main carrier for holding the plates in the treatment of the splints, of adevice for automaticallysupplying the plates with splints and delivering them to theI main carrier as required for the continued operation of the same, said device composed in part of two carrying-chains,J independent `oifz-tlqie main carrier, and having Qa-iste,t Y; M portions of said carrier-chains 'ar'iarige'd'l vertical guideways andv adapted to receive and carry the plates between them in contact with the side edges thereof, said carrierchains having carrying-lugs spaced apart a distance equal to the length of the plates, the plates having cut-away portions at the corners to form recesses for the carrying-lugs.

28. In match machinery. the combination with wholly independent plates for holding the splints, and a main carrier for holding the plates in the treatment of the splints, of a horizontally-actuated device for automatically supplying the plates with splints in a hori- Zontal direction and delivering them to the main carrier as required for the continuous operation of the same, a subcarrier comprising two endless carrier-chains independent of said main carrier and arranged in a common vertical plane and having a step-by-step motion to hold the plates in a vertical position during the insertion of the splints, and vertical guideways in which portions of said chains travel to receive and carry the plates in the space between them, said portions being of a length to carry a few plates at atime, and means against which the backs of the plates abut during the process of sticking.

29. In match machinery, the combination with wholly independent plates for holding the splints, of a device for automatically supplying the plates with splints and delivering them to a main carrier for the treatment of the splints, said device comprising a subcarrier composed of two carrier-chains arranged in a common vertical plane and provided with carrying -lugs for the plates, spaced apart equal to the length of the plates, portions of said chains adapted to receive and carry the plates in a vertical path in the space between them in contact with the side edges thereof and a main carrier composed of two carrierchains having carrying-lugs, portions of said carrier-chains arranged to travel 'in the path of the plates of the subcarrier and adapted to engage with and carry the plates in contact with the marginal portions along the side of the plates, said plates being adapted to engage with the carrying-lugs of the aforesaid carriers.

30. In match machinery, the combination with wholly independent plates for holding the splints, of a device for automatically providing the plates with splints and supplying them to a main carrier adapted to hold the plates in the treatment of the splints, said device comprising a separate subcarrier having step-by-step motion and adapted to carry the plates in a vertical path, a magazine adapted to hold the empty plates and to automatically deliver the same to said subcarrier in the travel of the same, agravitating device disposed in the upper portion of the magazine u, fqtmiogllygngage the upper ends of the platea l ng device adjacent tothe path ofthe subrier and cooperating therewith to provide the plates with splints and a main carrier composed of two carrier-chains having continuous motion and provided with the splints, of a device for automatically providing the plates with splints and supplying them to a main carrier for holding the plates in ,the treatment of the splints, said device composed in part of a separate subcarrierhaving step-by-step motion and consisting of two carrier-chains having carrying-lugs for the plates, portions-of said carrier-chains traveling in vertical guides and adapted to receive and to hold the plates between them in contact with the side edges thereof, a main carrier having continuous motion Aand consisting of two carrier-chains having carrying-lugs and adapted to carry the platesin contact with the marginal side portions of the plates, portions of which carrier-chains travel contiguous to the path of the plates on the subcarrier and adapted to transfer the plates from the same to the main carrier and means at the point of transfer for yieldingly holding the plates against the main carrier.

vS2. In match machinery, the combination with independent splint-holding plates P, of the endless carrier-chains F having carryinglugs spaced apart equal to the length of the plates and having proximate portions arranged in vertical guideways and adapted to receive and carry the plates in the space between the same, and the plate-holdingsmagazine C communicating with said space and provided with the vertical side walls b the inclinedbottom 0 the slide E and the gravity-dog D.

33. In match machinery, the combination with independent splint-holding plates, of the endless carrier-chains F having carrying-lugs spaced apart equal to the length of the plates and having proximate vertical portions adapted to receive and carry the plates in the space IlO ...ANSA f 's into said space, the splint-sticking device G, In testimony whereof 1 aiixmy sgnaturevin in the path of 'the afolresa'rd crrier the croshspresence of two witnesses. bai' I opposite the sp int-Stic; ing evice, t e. i. main carrier A provided with carrying-lugs MARK' A' SHELDON adapted to engage into marginal slots in the Witnesses:

plates and the spring K yeldngly holding the OTTO lF. BARTHEL,

plates in position ai'j the point of transfer. v JOSEPH A. NOELKE. -1 

